The Sharpest Blade by Sandy Williams Blog Tour and Giveaway

Please welcome Sandy Williams back to the blog for her tour for THE SHARPEST BLADE, the 3rd book in the Shadow Reader Series! Also, she’s offering a signed book to one lucky winner (chosen from books 1-3), so be sure to check out the details at the bottom of the post!

First off, I want to say thank you to all the readers and bloggers who have read McKenzie’s story and shared it with their friends. I hope you all love The Sharpest Blade as much as I do.

If you haven’t started the series, the first book, The Shadow Reader, is on sale for $1.99 on all ebook platforms. It’s the best and most affordable time to meet McKenzie and her friends.

Now, onto the post!

A Writer’s New Year’s Resolutions

I rarely make resolutions, mostly because I feel like they set me up for failure. And if I really need or want to make a change in my life, waiting until January 1st to start a resolution is really just giving me permission to procrastinate during October, November, and December.

But this year, I’m making a few resolutions that I’m going to keep. I think that, if I keep these resolutions, I’ll be a happier, healthier, more productive writer.

So what do a writer’s resolutions look like? Here are mine.

1. Write two novels. This was my plan for 2013, but it didn’t happen. I don’t know why. Too many distractions? Whatever it was, I will fix it in 2014. I will write two full length novels.

2. Write a short story or novella. I’ve never written anything short before. Every time I’ve tried, the ideas have turned book-length. I’m pretty sure I can write something short, though, especially if I set it in the Shadow Reader world. I’d love to write about how Naito and Kelia hooked up. Maybe even tell the story of how Kyol and McKenzie met. Both would be fun!

3. Make exercise a priority. These past few years, I’ve been making writing a priority. I put off exercising because I wanted to finish another sentence, paragraph, chapter, or book. Honestly, though, my writing has become an excuse to not exercise, and I really don’t think taking that hour and a half (this includes shower time) will affect my word count much at all. So, in 2014, exercise comes first, writing comes second.

4. Make a business plan. I’m way too spontaneous in how I spend my writing income. I’ll promote posts from time to time on Facebook or try out a new promo item all too often on a whim. Part of this is because I’m still experimenting and figuring out what I enjoy doing, but I want to do this with a purpose in 2014. Since I like Facebook, I need to set a monthly budget for it. I need a giveaway and mailing budget. I need a publication plan. I’m going to write up a plan using the guidelines from this post.

5. READ. Before I was published, I read 50 or more books a year. Not much for a lot of people, I know, but it was a good amount for me. I like that amount. I want to read that much again. Or rather, close to that amount. I’m setting myself the realistic goal of reading and/or listening to 30 books in 2014.

Sandy is the author of The Shadow Reader novels. For a limited time, the first book,The Shadow Reader, is on sale for $1.99. Sandy worked as a librarian until her husband whisked her off to London on an extended business trip. She’s now back home in Texas, writing full-time, raising newborn twin boys, and squeezing in time to play geeky board and card games likeSettlers of Catan, Dominion, and Runebound.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

1.)You MUST fill out the form below (if you’ve signed into Rafflecopter before, it will remember you!)
2.) Giveaway is for 1 SIGNED copy of winner’s choice of THE SHADOW READER, THE SHATTERED DARK, or THE SHARPEST BLADE by Sandy Williams to 1 winner
3.) Giveaway is open to US residents or those with a US address for mailing (no PO Boxes)
4.) You must enter on or before 1/10/13
5.) Giveaway book courtesy of Sandy Williams
6.) Please see my Giveaway Policy.

Great resolutions. I haven’t really thought much about making any, I’m fairly content with the way things have been going already. I did set a reading goal and hope to meet or exceed it this year. I’d definitely like to get to some of the great series I’ve had on my TBR shelf that I haven’t gotten to yet, so that’s another goal for this year.

All great resolutions. I have been working on writing a book for a year now, I think I might steal some of your resolutions, lol.
I am a huge fan of the series and I have eagerly awaited this book, although I am sad since it’s the last.
Thank you for the giveaway.

Your resolution to prioritize exercise over writing makes good sense. Staying fit is a great way to help prevent health issues that down the road might pull focus away from writing. Plus, working out physically can be an excellent time to let your imagination work out story arcs or dialog. As I’ve aged, I’ve realized that making my job my first priority may make me a good employee, but not at the risk of my own well-being. Best wishes for continued success!